Edward Roche

Sunday

Feb 14, 2010 at 4:08 AM

WOOSTER -- Edward Roche, 88, of Wooster, died peacefully Feb. 11, 2010, surrounded by his loving family.Ed was born in Auburn, N.Y., on Jan. 10, 1922, the third son of Michael L. and Sarah O'Toole Roche. After Michael Roche's death in June 1924, Mrs. Roche moved with her three sons to Pulaski, N.Y., where the boys grew up. Ed graduated from Pulaski Academy and Central School in June 1939. He worked for three years as a reporter for the Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times and the Syracuse Herald-Journal before entering the U.S. Army in October 1942. He served in the Army 38 months.After basic training at Camp Davis, N.C., Ed was selected for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. After his ASTP training ended, Ed was assigned to Camp Stewart and joined Battery D, 563rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, as a truck driver. The 563rd sailed for Europe on the Leopoldville in October 1944 and landed on Omaha Beach. Ed's 15 months in the European theater of operations included dangerous duty ferrying troops and supplies to the front lines during the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home from the war in December 1945.Ed married Rhea Noble of Lacona, N.Y., on July 10, 1947, in Pulaski, N.Y. They have four children and five grandchildren.Ed received a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from Syracuse University in 1949. He later did graduate work at Syracuse and at the University of Akron Law School. He began his career as an editor for Park Publications in Ithaca, N.Y. He then returned to Syracuse, where he worked at the College of Forestry. He later worked as an editor in Madison, Wis., for the Forest Products Journal and in Washington, D.C., for the extension service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 1986, Ed retired as professor emeritus after more than 21 years as associate chairman of public information at The Ohio State University/Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC).Following his retirement from the OARDC, Ed worked for the Census Bureau and did volunteer work for the IRS, helping low-income and elderly people prepare their taxes. Ed served as a board member of the Wooster United Way, board member and past president of the Wooster YMCA, trustee and treasurer of the Wooster YMCA Board of Trustees, member and publicity chairman of the Wayne County Republican Executive Committee, member and past president of the Wooster Noon Lions Club, past zone chairman of the Ohio Lions, and member of the Wooster Scots Downtown Rebounders, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, the American Legion, and St. Mary Catholic Church. In addition to his many community contributions, Ed enjoyed various sports, especially golf and Wooster Scots and Syracuse basketball. He also took great pleasure in traveling around the United States (all 50 states) and the world (11 countries) as part of his genealogical research. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.Ed was preceded in death by his father, Michael, mother Sarah, brother John (Jack), several brothers- and sisters-in-law, and nephews Bill and Matt. He is survived by his wife, Rhea; son Peter (Kathy) of Columbus; daughters Michele Fakan (Brian) of Hinckley, Colleen Roche (Greg Schlapp) of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., and Annette Wenda (Dave) of Vida, Ore.; five grandchildren, Ean, Erin, Eric, Ethan, and Sarah; brother Bill of Syracuse, N.Y.; many nieces and nephews; and one sister-in-law. Quick with a story and a laugh, he will be dearly missed by all.There will be no calling hours. A funeral Mass will be held Monday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Wooster, with the Rev. Stephen Moran officiating. The family will receive friends in the church immediately following the service. Private burial services will be held at the Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman on Tuesday, Feb. 16.Online expressions of condolence may be left at www.robertsfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wooster Noon Lions Club, P.O. Box 761, Wooster, 44691; United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties, 215 S. Walnut St., Wooster, 44691; St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster, 44691; or a charity of your choice.McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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